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Groove Kid Nation: The Wheels on the Bus brings a whole new sound and groove to the age-old familiar tune that most of us know ohsoverywell. This is a compilation of old favorites and new, original, soon to be favorites all in one CD…it’s definitely a FUN-ky sound. There are countless instruments featured in this album, offering a multitude of ways to groove, shake, and beebop to the beat for children and adults alike. Not surprisingly, this album is the brainchild of a dad who wanted to find music with some funk but couldn’t, and decided to make his own.
We like the 10 page booklet that came with this cd, illustrating lots of the animals featured in the songs with an instrument. Lots of bright, vibrant colors go along with this fun, funky music CD! Its fun for the kids to guess which instrument is being played in which song by listening- and then trying to listen to find out where else they hear that instrument again.
Groove Kid Nation will be available March 8, 2011. 10% of sales will benefit CARE, a humanitarian organization fighting poverty.
Groove Kid Nation is the brainchild of Los Angeles based keyboardist Rodney Lee, who has more than 20 years of experience as a touring sideman, record producer and recording artist. He’s also a first-time dad who decided to create what he could not find for his son: music reminiscent of growing up in the funk-filled, soul-infused 1960s and 70s.
The Wheels on the Bus recasts classic children’s songs as funky soul foot-stompers. Along with the title track, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Froggy Went a Courting, and The Alphabet Song become not just danceable but likeable tunes whose rhythms all but demand repeated listening. A few original pieces are also thrown into the mix. Each tune features a whimsical animal character performing a solo on its instrument, and an enclosed 10-page booklet features illustrations of these new animal friends.
“When I was a kid, the music on Saturday morning cartoon shows like Fat Albert, the Jackson 5 and The Banana Splits made a big impression on me,” Lee said. “After the birth of my son (now 2), I looked for this kind of funky children’s music and couldn’t find what I wanted to hear, especially, over and over. So I decided to do what I do: make music with some funk to it.”
The first release in a planned series, The Wheels on the Bus (national retail release March 8),showcases the piano, saxophone, trumpet, voice, flute, trombone, guitar, bass, and drums, as performed by a host of L.A. musicians with impressive credentials, including alto saxophonist Mindi Adair (Concord). “These are the players who keep the music business moving and grooving,” Lee said. Their combined credits include touring/recording work with superstars such as Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Colbie Cailat, Stevie Wonder, Beck, Seal, Joss Stone, Usher, Sting, Patti Labelle, Natalie Cole, Herbie Hancock and P-Diddy, to name just a few.
You can preorder this CD from Amazon right now!! Bring some funk into your CD player and help fight poverty all at once.
I received a sample of this product to facilitate my review. Opinions expressed within are my own.